Crimes against pregnant women act awaits governor’s signature

DENVER — The Crimes Against Pregnant Women Act is now headed to Gov. John Hickenlooper for his signature.

The bill enables prosecutors to file additional charges when an unborn child is killed in a crime.

In recent years, the legislative push to enable prosecutors to file additional charges has sparked bipartisan rancor, as Democrats have quashed the GOP’s “fetal homicide” measures out of concerns that they would confer “Personhood” upon the unborn.

Colorado voters have twice rejected Personhood measures, which aimed to amend the Constitution to recognize life at the moment of conception; and, last November, voters put Democrats back in charge of the Colorado statehouse.

“Our state has seen terrible tragedies over the course of the past few years that have highlighted the need for this bill which will close the loophole in Colorado’s criminal code,” said Cathy Alderman of Planned Parenthood. “HB-1154 is a thoughtful and fair approach to a complex area of law that addresses crimes against pregnant women without restricting or infringing upon reproductive health care.”